In Dnipropetrovsk region, a rare bird with a red beak was photographed (PHOTO).

The Kryvyi Rih wildlife photographer Viktor Sevidov captured an image of the red-billed pochard, a bird that is atypical for Ukraine. He shared the photographs in the Facebook community "Birds of Ukraine," as reported by "Vidomo".

"Red-billed pochard (Netta rufina). Kryvyi Rih 01.01.2025," - noted Viktor Sevidov.

In Ukraine, this species is known to nest, migrate, and winter. It is a rare nesting bird in the steppe zone of the coastal areas of the Azov-Black Sea region.

The bird has a chestnut-red head and upper neck. It also features a brown body and expansive white wings.

The red-billed pochard primarily feeds on aquatic plants, diving to depths of 2-4 meters or gathering them from the water's surface.

This species is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and is protected by the Bonn and Bern Conventions, as well as the AEWA agreement. The decline in the population of this duck is attributed to the transformation of nesting habitats: coastal development, the construction of hydraulic structures in river deltas, the laying of dams and transport communications, and the drainage of wetlands.

It is worth noting that an asteroid has been named in honor of this bird species.